ballest127 wrote:
Hi Experts,
Please help me clarify why C is incorrect and why A is correct?
And one more question, how is the usage of past continuous justified here?
Thank you.
This is partially idiomatic: you can LOOK FOR anonymity, but you SEEK anonymity. So we want "was seeking anonymity", not "was seeking for anonymity".
Also, think about the meaning in choice (C): "William Sydney Porter, who began writing while he was in prison for embezzlement,
was seeking for anonymity and therefore chose the pseudonym O. Henry."
- This makes it sound as though he chose that specific pseudonym because he was seeking anonymity.
- In other words, it sounds like "O. Henry" is for some reason a particularly good choice of pseudonym for someone who is seeking anonymity.
- That's not quite right. Porter ADOPTED a pseudonym because he was seeking anonymity. But he did not choose THAT specific pseudonym because he was seeking anonymity.
The correct meaning is clearer in choice (A): "William Sydney Porter, who began writing while he was in prison for embezzlement,
was seeking anonymity when he chose the pseudonym O. Henry."
- At some point in the past, Porter CHOSE the pseudonym O. Henry.
- If (A) used simple past "sought" instead of "was seeking", it would sound as though the two actions took place simultaneously -- as if Porter suddenly desired anonymity and in that same instant chose a pseudonym.
- The use of "was seeking" tell us what the conditions were (or what was going on) when Porter chose the pseudonym.
This is similar to something like, "It was raining when I bought the umbrella."
- There was an ongoing action in the past (was raining) and, at some point while it was raining, I bought the umbrella.
- The rain likely started before I bought the umbrella and ended after I bought the umbrella.
Similarly, in choice (A), "seeking anonymity" was an ongoing action in the past. At some point after he realized that he wanted anonymity, Porter adopted the pseudonym O. Henry (and he likely didn't STOP thinking about anonymity the moment he adopted that pseudonym).
I hope that helps!